The best selective weed killers for lawns in the UK 2023

Are you having trouble removing weeds from your garden? Faced with this plague, selective weed killer remains the best solution in the long term. It eradicates weeds without affecting the lawn or plants. In fact, we recommend Bayer Greener NF, a product that no narrow-leafed weed can resist. Read this guide to learn more.

Bayer Greenex NFNF 1
8/10

Best value for money

Bayer Greenex NFNF

The best selective weed killer in 2021

This product is one of the fastest selective weed killers for lawns. Weeds usually die within a few days and never grow back.

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Bayer Greenex NFNF Selective Weedkiller is formulated with both contact and systemic herbicides. From this strip, it immediately attacks narrow-leaved weeds from the outside while killing right down to the root. From the outside, you'll see the weeds dry out in a few. And they die after a few weeks and never grow back.

These include plantain, clover, dandelions and even broadleaf weeds. And while it is primarily used to kill existing weeds, it also contains ingredients that can prevent broadleaf weeds from germinating.

Celaflor Weedex 2
7/10

Best value for money

Celaflor Weedex

The best entry-level selective weed killer

This selective weed killer will control most broadleaf weeds, including dandelions, hawkweed and clover. At this price, it's a bargain.

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Cetaflor Weedex contains 4 active ingredients that are absorbed by both the weed leaves and, sparingly, by the weed roots. These ingredients will then be distributed systemically throughout the plant to kill them down to the roots. In addition, this selective weed killer will delay weed regrowth as much as possible without harming your lawn.

You'll see results in a few days as the weeds begin to fade and turn brown. But it will take about 2 weeks to completely kill the affected plants. Cetaflor Weedex is suitable for lawns and does not harm grass. There are exceptions, so be careful with use and dosage.

Fepro Florafix 3
7/10

Best premium value for money

Fepro Florafix

The best premium selective weed killer

Combine business with pleasure with Fepro Florafix lawn fertilizer. In addition to greening the lawn, this product eliminates moss and weeds.

See the price

Do you have large holes in your lawn? Does your lawn not grow evenly because of soil, moss and weeds? Try this NPK lawn fertilizer Fepro Florafix. For ornamental, sports and play lawns, it has a long-lasting, uniform effect of up to 5 months, without the risk of burning.

In addition to promoting uniform grass regrowth, Fepro Florafix acts against moss and weeds. The smell may be unbearable after application, but its effects are convincing to say the least. And although it is a natural fertilizer, its effects are really long lasting. The 25 kg bag can treat 500 m² of lawn.

Engrais pour gazon Versando 4
8/10

Double action

Engrais pour gazon Versando

A great choice for sports and specialty turf

This product both eliminates moss and fertilizes the lawn. A great choice if you are growing sports turf and other specialty turf.

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This 10 kg bag of NPK fertilizer can treat up to 300 m² of lawn while acting on moss and weeds. Versando is especially recommended for sports fields and special lawns. It offers an immediate action to green up and densify the lawn. To do this, spread 30 g/m² of product 4 times a year (in March-April, June, August and September).

Note that the spreading should be done 1 to 2 days after mowing. So, don't expect a herbicide fertilizer to do everything in a few days. It will probably take 2 weeks to see a decrease in moss and weeds. After that, the color of the grass and its growth can only improve.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best selective lawn weedkiller

Any specific needs?

The best selective weed killer in 2021

The best entry-level selective weed killer

The best premium selective weed killer

A great choice for sports and specialty turf

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best selective weed killers for lawns

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Bayer Greenex NFNF 5
8/10
Celaflor Weedex 6
7/10
Fepro Florafix 7
7/10
Engrais pour gazon Versando 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Bayer Greenex NFNF
Celaflor Weedex
Fepro Florafix
Engrais pour gazon Versando
This product is one of the fastest selective weed killers for lawns. Weeds usually die within a few days and never grow back.
This selective weed killer will control most broadleaf weeds, including dandelions, hawkweed and clover. At this price, it's a bargain.
Combine business with pleasure with Fepro Florafix lawn fertilizer. In addition to greening the lawn, this product eliminates moss and weeds.
This product both eliminates moss and fertilizes the lawn. A great choice if you are growing sports turf and other specialty turf.
Controls narrow leaf weeds including digitaria, Bermuda grass, millet and many others
Inexpensive, but very effective
Lawn fertilizer and herbicide at the same time
For sports turf and speciality turf
Also effective against some broad leaf weeds
Dries weeds and kills them down to the roots
Large capacity (25 kg) to treat 500 m² of lawn
Provides 300 sq. m. of turf 4 times a year
Highly concentrated product: dilute with water
Not harmful to bees, so can be used without restriction, even with flowering weeds
Long lasting effect (up to months)
Effective in 2 weeks

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - selective lawn weedkiller

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How to choose your selective lawn weedkiller

To maximize the performance of a weed killer, consider the following criteria when choosing a weed killer.

#1 - The emergence

Emergence refers to the stage of weed growth at which you should apply the weed killer.

  • Pre-emergent weed killers target and kill germinating weeds before they emerge from the soil. You typically apply them to lawn or garden soil before you see any signs of weeds; they will form a chemical barrier in the top layer of soil that will stop the growth of shoots underground.
  • Post-emergent weed killers, also known as herbicides, are used to control existing weeds that have already emerged from the soil. Apply them to the leaves and/or stems of visible weeds in flower beds or walkways. The chemicals will kill the weeds either by destroying the foliage or stems, or by going down to the roots.

#2 - Selectivity

Selectivity is the ability of a weed killer to kill weeds while leaving surrounding plants unharmed.

  • Selective weed killers destroy weeds but not nearby turf or other beneficial plants, making them a good option for eradicating, for example, dandelions or thistles on the lawn or in a flower bed.
  • Non-selective weed killers control weeds as well as all other plants in the application area. Use them along the fence or pool, or where there are no other plants to protect.

#3 - Translocation

Translocation describes the movement of the product into a weed once it is absorbed by the plant's leaves, stems, or roots.

  • Contact weed killers do not move into a weed after they enter it; rather, they kill the weeds by destroying the part of the plant to which you apply them, usually within hours or days of application. They are commonly used on annual weeds, such as nettle and chickweed, which are easier to kill than perennials and usually die when the foliage or stems are destroyed.
  • Systemic weed killers move inside a weed after absorption, usually to the roots, destroying the entire plant from the bottom up. It usually takes several days to several weeks to see results. Although unlike contact weed killers, systemic products generally do not indicate the specific time period needed to kill weeds. They are a good option for perennial weeds, such as dandelion or ragweed, which are generally harder to kill because of their deeper roots.

#4 - Persistence

Persistence tells you how long after application a weed killer remains in the soil and can act

.

  • Temporary weed killers break down in the soil in a few days to a few weeks, requiring you to reapply the product often to keep the weeds away, but allowing you to quickly replant other plants in the area without interrupting their growth. This makes it a better option for gardens where you intend to plant flowers or vegetables in the near future or areas where weeds rarely grow, such as spaces between pavers in the yard.
  • Longer-lasting weed killers stay in the soil and prevent new weeds from growing in the application area for months or even a year after application. They are a good option for lawns or gardens where you need long-lasting weed control. But they can also inhibit the germination of new plants you plan to grow for a period of time.

#5 - The surface to be treated

The choice of a selective weed killer should also depend on the area to be treated. If it is quite large, the ideal is to choose a concentrated weed killer to dilute. On the other hand, for small surfaces, ready-to-use weedkillers are the most suitable.

How to apply selective weed killer for lawns?


Since selective weed killer is a chemical product, it is important to know how to use it properly. It is therefore necessary to read carefully the instructions provided by the manufacturers before anything else. It is imperative to respect them for a good application. First, you must evaluate the size of the surface to be treated.


If you have a large area, you must use a more concentrated solution. The use of a specific weed killer is therefore strongly recommended. Indeed, on a surface larger than 100 m², the ideal is to apply a selective weed killer in granules.


Now you can proceed to mix the water and the product. To do this, you can use a watering can or do it directly in the tank of your sprayer. Then, spray your lawn and for a better efficiency, make sure that you have spread it all over the lawn.


For a small area, using a ready-to-use solution with a simple watering can can be enough for a complete watering of your garden. In addition, it allows you to apply more precisely on the plants to be removed.


As for the right season to apply the weed killer and get the best results, it is recommended to do it in early spring, in March or April, but it depends on the region. In addition, it is advisable to apply it when the outside temperature is between 15° and 22°C.


Apart from that, you should mow the lawn before applying the weed killer. In addition, you must water your lawn the day before application. Finally, in order to keep your lawn in good condition as long as possible, and especially for an effective elimination of weeds, the ideal is to perform this operation once or twice a year.

The different types of selective weed killers for lawns

Already, the selective weed killer is a sub-type of weed killer. Depending on the form and presentation, there are 3 types of selective weed killers.

Concentrated liquid selective weed killer

This is the most common form. This type of selective weed killer offers more flexibility in its application. Because this type of weed killer is highly concentrated, it must be diluted and applied with a watering can or sprayer. Ideal for large areas, concentrated liquid weed killer can be used to treat the lawn in the spring or fall. It is also an excellent choice if your lawn has a lot of weeds.

Most concentrated weed killers can only be applied once a year. However, there are different active ingredients, which means you can spray your lawn twice a year, each time with a different brand.

Selective weed killer spray

These types of selective weed killer sprays do not need to be mixed. They are ready to use and come in a spray bottle. They are great for sparingly eliminating weeds. This makes them ideal if there are few weeds to remove in your lawn.

Plus, since you don't usually apply them to your entire lawn, you can use them whenever you need them.

Granular selective weed killer

There

are very few granular weed killers on the market. They are usually incorporated into other products such as in fertilizers and spray weed killers, but rarely as a stand-alone weed killer.

If you don't have many weeds in your lawn and would rather invest in plant growth products than apply a separate fertilizer and weed killer, use one. However, if your lawn is already overrun with weeds, opt for a concentrated weed killer.

Selective weed killer or multipurpose weed killer?

Selective weed killer

As the name implies, selective weed killers only kill certain species. They generally target broadleaf weeds. Furthermore, they are suitable for large lawns and usually do not cause damage to the grass. And one of the biggest advantages of this type of weed killer is that one application can last an entire season.

Some selective herbicides can be harmful to a certain type of grass (these are usually the products targeted at sedges and rushes), so check the label carefully before purchasing a product. On the other hand, selective weed killers may take time to work, but are less harmful.

Multipurpose weed killer

Multipurpose weed killer is also called broad spectrum weed killer. It is very effective in killing plants. But this effectiveness is double-edged. If applied incorrectly, broad-spectrum weed killer can kill not only the weeds but also the grass or flowers you think you are protecting!

Indeed, this type of weed killer kills most of the plants it comes into contact with. They are therefore very harmful. Several precautions should be taken before applying them, to avoid contaminating other areas of your garden.

Verdict

Selective weed killers are particularly effective on lawns because they kill broadleaf weeds but do not affect other plants. Use non-selective weed killers on large areas of the garden that need to be cleared, as well as driveways and paths.

Why buy a selective weed killer?

Still hesitating to use a selective weed killer? Here are the reasons why this product will be beneficial to your lawn and more generally to your garden.

Effective weed control

Proper maintenance of your lawn and garden allows plants to grow properly and blocks the development of weeds. Selective weed killers only kill a specific type of weed or plant, while non-selective weed killers kill all plants they touch.

Ease of use

Manual weed control requires digging and pulling by hand. This can be time-consuming and can lead to soreness. Also, some weeds have long roots that require additional digging to remove the entire root. A weed killer is easier to apply because you simply spray it on the plant. It takes over at that point to kill the unwanted plant.

Increases the harvest

By removing weeds that compete for water, sunlight and nutrients, weed killers increase crop yields, resulting in lower prices, greater profits and fewer food shortages.

Fast and effective

One of the main reasons people turn to weed killers is that they provide a quick solution. Some products can kill weeds in less than a day, while others can take weeks or more. It should not take more than a month for the weeds to die completely.

Less harmful

Selective weed killers are less harmful than non-selective weed killers. In addition, they can be sprayed sparingly on weeds only.

The best brands of selective weed killers for lawns

In our opinion, the best brands of selective weed killers for lawns in 2022 are :

Bayer
Solabiol
Celaflor Naturen
Preen
Scotts

Bayer is a German company founded in 1863. It specializes in life sciences and has 150 years of experience. The brand's Crop Science division provides us with cutting-edge products in crop protection, particularly in the field of herbicides.

It is renowned for having always sought to develop a know-how and an approach to natural gardening. It therefore offers products that respect the environment and are in phase with nature, whether in terms of fertilizers or weed control.

Celaflor Naturen (since 2008) or Naturen is a brand that belongs to the company La Pause Jardin (Liebe deinen Garten). It offers products that are 100% natural and therefore perfectly compatible with the environment without sacrificing effectiveness.

The Preen brand is owned by the Lebanon Seaboard Corporation and has over half a century of experience. Its products are reliable and environmentally friendly and are the easiest solution to help you weed your garden or lawn.

Scotts (or Scotts Miracle-Gro Company) is an American multinational company founded in 1868. It is best known for the manufacture and distribution of consumer lawn and garden products, including selective weed killers. Its products are reliable and respect the environment.

What is the price for a selective lawn weedkiller

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
10 £ to 20 £
Mid-range
20 £ to 40 £
High-end
more than 40 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Avoid spraying in extremely hot weather

Temperatures above 85 degrees will amplify the stress on the grass and cause damage. It is best to wait for temperatures below 80 degrees.

Do not apply any chemicals to the young grass.

They do

not have the same chemical resistance as mature grass. It is advisable to wait at least three months to spray exposed new grass.

Do not mow the lawn for 2 to 3 days before spraying.

Weed killers must be absorbed by weed leaves, and short weeds drink less chemical. Wait at least a few days after mowing to spray and do not mow for several days after spraying, which can allow more chemicals to get down to the root.

Cut the most stubborn weeds

If

your garden is already overgrown with weeds, it is recommended that you cut them back and wait for new leaves to appear. This will make it easier for the weed killer to penetrate the plant, killing it faster and more effectively.

Water your plants, not your herbs

If

you really want to keep weeds from growing, don't water them! Placing a soaker hose under your mulch and watering only your plants will prevent water from seeping into the weeds, stunting their growth.

FAQ

What is the best selective weed killer?

The best selective weed killer depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.

How often can you apply a selective weed killer?

Use only during the growing season when growth is good normally 2 days after mowing and at least 3 days before the next cut.

When is the best time to apply a selective weed killer?

In calm and dry weather, avoid heat and sun

Can selective weed killer be mixed with other lawn care products?

You can mix the selective weed killer with the soluble lawn fertilizer to do two jobs in one. If you use them separately, apply the soluble fertilizer first and the weed killer about a week later.

Is selective weed killer safe for pets?

Virtually any weed killer containing chemicals is dangerous to animals and children.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , lemonde.fr
  2. , marieclaire.fr
  3. , selection.ca
  4. , comment-economiser.fr
  5. , m-habitat.fr
  6. , toutpratique.com
  7. , fermesdavenir.org
  8. , aujardin.info
  9. , yourbestpicks.com
  10. , leroymerlin.fr
  11. , unjardindepoesie.fr
  12. , amazon.co.uk
  13. , testeur-du-dimanche.fr
  14. , leblogdujardin.fr
  15. , roundup-jardin.com
  16. , jardinage.lemonde.fr
  17. , gammvert.fr
  18. , catalogues7.fr
  19. , europages.fr
  20. , bhs.fr
  21. , castorama.fr
  22. , forumgazon.fr
  23. , maison.20minutes.fr
  24. , cdiscount.com
  25. , blog.bmykey.com
  26. , lovethegarden.com
  27. , 10-trucs.com
  28. , manomano.fr
  29. , gammvert.fr
  30. , environmentalscience.bayer.fr
  31. , ebay.fr
  32. , jardiland.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Bayer Greenex NFNF 9
Bayer Greenex NFNF
Celaflor Weedex 10
Celaflor Weedex
Fepro Florafix 11
Fepro Florafix
Engrais pour gazon Versando 12
Engrais pour gazon Versando

Lecteurs

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